Pennsylvania Issues New Mandatory Safety Guidelines for the Workplace

On April 16, 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Health issued an order requiring all essential businesses in the Commonwealth to maintain certain safety procedures to protect the health of employees and their families, and the health of residents who depend on their services. This Order takes effect this Sunday, April 19^th at 8:00p.m.

In addition to maintaining pre-existing cleaning protocols, employers are now required to provide masks for all employees and make it a mandatory requirement to wear masks while on the work premises. Employers also have a new set of requirements if one of their employees tests positive or has a presumptive case of COVID-19.

Additionally, businesses are required to deny entry to any customers who are not wearing a mask unless the business sells food, medication, or medical supplies. In those cases, the business must provide an alternative method of pickup or delivery for individuals who do not have a facial covering. However, individuals who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition (including children under the age of 2 years per CDC guidance) may enter the premises and are not required to provide documentation of such medical condition.

Please click here to read the order in its entirety for additional workplace health and safety guidelines.

If you have questions about the obligations of businesses under these newly issued safety and social distancing rules and regulations, or any question related to the CARES Act, PPP loans or the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), feel free to contact us at 215-887-0200 or access the firm’s COVID-19 Resource Center for more information.

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